December 7, 2004: Headlines: COS - Tunisia: Politics: Election2006 - Doyle: WBAY: As for what he expects in Tommy Thompson's future, Governor Jim Doyle was less forthcoming. "I have no idea. That's obviously for him to decide."

After resigning as head of the U.S. Health and Human Services Department, former Wisconsin Governor Tommy Thompson is not completely rejecting the idea of returning to state politics.

At Wisconsin's state capitol, Thompson's resignation had everyone talking. Action 2 News went to Madison to get reactions from Thompson's successors, the two men who fought for the governorship in the first election after Thompson left to serve in President Bush's Cabinet.

"As much as somebody needs air to breathe, Tommy Thompson needs the public and needs to have that just to exist. I think whatever he does, he's going to need people around him and need that type of affectioin to feed off of," said Scott McCallum, who served as lieutenant governor under Thompson and then as governor after Thompson's depature for Washington.

Former Governor McCallum suspects Thompson will have no shortage of lucrative offers now that he's stepping down.

"One of the reasons we deal with such big deficits at the state level is because the federal government has basically cut back on funding for Medicaid, Badger Care, and Senior Care. I'm very concerned about the cost of prescription drugs. I really hope the federal government will take a change in direction on that and give us some help."

As for what he expects in Thompson's future, the governor was less forthcoming. "I have no idea. That's obviously for him to decide."

"Thompson is a well-known name, and when you've got that name recognition it immediately makes you a player," McCallum said.

Thompson says he intends to look for a position in the private sector after almost 40 years in public service, but in Madison there is no shortage of people who believe he'll eventually be back in Wisconsin politics.

When this story was posted in December 2004, this was on the front page of PCOL:

Is Gaddi Leaving? Rumors are swirling that Peace Corps Director Vasquez may be leaving the administration. We think Director Vasquez has been doing a good job and if he decides to stay to the end of the administration, he could possibly have the same sort of impact as a Loret Ruppe Miller. If Vasquez has decided to leave, then Bob Taft, Peter McPherson, Chris Shays, or Jody Olsen would be good candidates to run the agency. Latest: For the record, Peace Corps has no comment on the rumors.

The Birth of the Peace CorpsUMBC's Shriver Center and the Maryland Returned Volunteers hosted Scott Stossel, biographer of Sargent Shriver, who spoke on the Birth of the Peace Corps. This is the second annual Peace Corps History series - last year's speaker was Peace Corps Director Jack Vaughn.

Charges possible in 1976 PCV slayingCongressman Norm Dicks has asked the U.S. attorney in Seattle to consider pursuing charges against Dennis Priven, the man accused of killing Peace Corps Volunteer Deborah Gardner on the South Pacific island of Tonga 28 years ago. Background on this story here and here.

Kerry reaches out to Returned VolunteersThe Kerry campaign wants the RPCV vote. Read our interview with Dave Magnani, Massachusetts State Senator and Founder of "RPCVs for Kerry," and his answers to our questions about Kerry's plan to triple the size of the Peace Corps, should the next PC Director be an RPCV, and Safety and Security issues. Then read the "RPCVs for Kerry" statement of support and statements by Dr. Robert Pastor, Ambassador Parker Borg, and Paul Oostburg Sanz made at the "RPCVs for Kerry" Press Conference.

RPCV Carl Pope says the key to winning this election is not swaying undecided voters, but persuading those already willing to vote for your candidate to actually go to the polls.

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Story Source: WBAY

This story has been posted in the following forums: : Headlines; COS - Tunisia; Politics; Election2006 - Doyle

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